Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-11-25
NERM0NTS PROGRESS.
BURLlNG TON LEADS THE STATE N
GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.
A Business Boom Being Experienced by
the Principal Towns-Yermont's La
borers in II Prosperous Condition.
A SatisfactorN KecOrd.

The ,Brattleboro correspondent OF the
Springfield Republican has contributed
to that paper an interesting review Of the
progress of Nermont's principal towns
during the past five years and II Is inter
esting to note that Burlington leads in the
onward march Of growth and improve
ments. The Article is as follows:
1t may he true that the farming inter-
ests of Vermont are, as whole retrOgrad-
inc. and that the next census viii show
q material falling oil in the population of
her small towns but the figures here
with presented, respecting the prosperity
and growth, for the past two years, of the
larger towns within the State, show uu-
mistakably that Vermont through its priu-
cipal towns Is Just now IN the enjoy
meut of a moderate boom. This is not of
a speculative or feVerish character but
evidently substantial and lasting. In fact
those towns that have eappeureI at stan l.
still for number OF years past, nave
seemed to gather inspiration of late from
their more pubiic--pirited neiShbors, and
an unusual season of thrift and active in
dustry is the result. Labor, worthy of its
hire, has commanded reasonable and sat
isfactory wages, and pentup capital mas
been generously distributed in attractive
buildings, both public and private; while
theSmanufacturin9 and other Industries
of the State have all shown encouraging
evidences of thrift. Failures have been
few while the crops this season have
never been better or more abundant.
Beginning with BrattleborC, THIS town
has had aremarkabe and healthy'growth,
Probably $50 new buildings haye gone up
in the town during the past two years at
an expense of fully 100000 Quite
large proportion of these buildings are
private dwellings, Of handsome design
and finish, ranging IN price from $500 to
$1,000 The new public library building,
given to the town by the late George j.
Brooks, is an ornament to the main street,
being a model of convenience and beauty,
and costing about SO, 600 The number
of schools in town has increased from II
in 1850 until there are about go at the pres
ent time, while the number of pupils has
grown cOrrespondingly, so that to-day
there are probably as many in the village
district alone as there were in the whole
town seven years ago. The new high
school building, erected three years ago
at cos. of 1000 will accommodate go
pupils. The population of the town has
probably increased 1000 in the past six or
seven years
Bellows Falls, the second largest town
in Windham county, presents an air OF
push, and prosperity. The number Of
buildings erected in two years is placed at
about 45, the cost agAregdtlng S33J,OOO- 1t
is recEOned that the town has Increased
in population since the last general CEN
sus about 1900.
Springfield, though some distance re-
moved from the railroad, has evidences
of growth to offer. Seven new buildings
have been erected within the past two
years at cost of about $4,000.
Windsor built a new school house last
year which cost Sl5,000 and this year
there nave been five new dwellings put
up at AN expense of about 100000
In Hartford 33 new houses were built
last year, and thus far this year % others
while nDIer
The large factory at Hartford village cost
100000. and new factories at OlCOtts :
Falls, now being built, will cost even
more.
Woodstock, on the contrary, has had but
little building, only two or three small
houses at small expense having been erect
ed.
St. Johnsbury has made some advance
ment
eight shops and mills and SIX large barns
within two years at an estimated cost o.
S25, 900 The number of inhabitants has
been increased about 200 in the two past
years
Montpelier has also steadily advanced
with IL new houses, the cost ranging from
$500 10 $1,000.
Barre has forged ahead with surprising
strides. 1t is probably safe to say taat
100 new buildings we're built there last
year, at an average cost Of about $1,000.
Besides lllt new OptId-nOuSt DlOCh WAS
completed last year costing $50, ,0J0 About
as many more buildings have been put up
this year, the total amount put into new
blilding5 during the two years being not
far from S35O,OO
Burlington people point with just pride
to that ciUy's growth, and it is carefully
estimated that % houses were erected there
last year at a cost of 5000 $50. This yeaI
between April and November 1, l22 new
buildings, costing S36S, $50, have been
added: The above ilgures 90 not include
anything but taxable buildings. 1t is
thought that the outlay for new buildings
and additions, for the full year will exceed
100000, making total for the two years
of between 100000 and $1,000 The
population of the Queen City is increas
ing, and its natural advantages coupled
with its conceded public spirit, insure {
prosperous future.
St. Albans has pluckily wrestled witt
countless adversities of late which have
struck at the heart of its business circles
but the town has grown some in the pas
two years.
Nergennes, the oldest city, built but sil
new buildings last year, and only thre
this season.
Rutland's growth has undoubtedl,
been somewhat retarded by labor agta
tionS, and the excitement attending th'
division of the town, The best authorl
ties concur in placing the number of new
buildings erected in 1856 at about 100, ant
during the present year at about l5O.
In Proctor II inexpensive house
have been built there within the past few
months and the estimated cost is not IA
from S14 600 The Vermont Marble com
pany has begun the erection of a new
mill and shop on which has been eXpend
ed for the foundation and wheel-pi abou
$4,000 The elegant new house now be
ing built by DR., j. q, johnson, and ol
which he will spend a great deal O
money, is not included in the above Al
ready anywhere from $1,000 to 800, 90
has been expended on the building
Manchester built five new dwelling
last year at cost of $4,000, beside
school house which cost 5000; thoug
dnring the present year but one dwellin
and barn have been built at an expens
of $1,000.
bennington after years of local depres
sion, owing TO the closing of some of ii
largest mills, has started up with renewe